Sticky Situation: Caramel Apples

By sonia December 24, 2011 Candy, Fruit Desserts and Pies

Perfect for that sticky situation. My last night in California, I had all my buds over for a little good-bye. We sat around the table playing Scattegories and munching on these yummy treats.

Definitely brought some extra sweetness to a bittersweet moment.

Recipe: Sticky Caramel Apples

Summary: Super simple, delicious, and a great way to get hands on and creative!

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
Dash salt
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 to 12 popsicle sticks
10 to 12 apples, washed and dried (I prefer green apples because they are more tart)
Toppings of your choice! Chopped peanuts, crushed graham crackers, mini chocolate chips, melted white chocolate, marshmallows, crushed candy bars…the list goes on!

Instructions

Melt butter in a large saucepan over a flame. Add brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Cook and stir over medium heat until this mixture comes to a boil (about 10-12 minutes).
Add condensed milk. Cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 248°. (When I don’t have a candy thermometer with me, I do my best to pay careful attention to the mixture, making sure it does not burn. However, if you have a thermometer, it is much easier!)
Remove sauce from the heat and stir in vanilla.
After washing and drying the apples, insert Popsicle sticks into the top of the apples.
Dip each apple into hot caramel mixture; turn to coat.
Dip bottom of apples into peanuts, graham cracker crumbles, chocolate chips, etc.
Place on greased waxed paper until set.